As the country marks the sixth anniversary of the promulgation of the constitution today, half of Kenyans feel devolution has been the biggest benefit of the law passed in 2010.
A survey released yesterday by Infotrak indicates 51 per cent feel devolution has had the biggest impact in their lives. “Other than devolution, the top two benefits that Kenyans associate with the 2010 constitution are improved individual rights, freedom at 33 per cent and enhanced democracy at 17 per cent,” Infotrak CEO Angela Ambitho said while releasing the polls at the Safari Club, Nairobi.
The poll suggests there is improved leadership and integrity at 16 per cent, land reforms and the establishment of constitutional commissions at 14 per cent each complete the top six most important benefits of the constitution. This was followed by judicial reforms at 13 per cent.
Regionally, Northeastern had the highest number of people who said they have benefited from devolution at 65 per cent, followed by Eastern at 62 per cent, Central 43 per cent and Rift Valley at 50 per cent.
The poll was conducted between May 31 and June 8, where 1,500 respondents were interviewed using focus group discussions and open-ended questions.
The data was collected through face-to-face household interviews across all the counties and had a margin error of +/- 2.5 and a 95 per cent degree of confidence.
The study shows the worst performing areas under the Constitution are electoral reforms ( 12.2 per cent), executive reforms ( 11.6 per cent) and legislative reforms ( 7.8 per cent).
It also suggests that 13 per cent of Kenyans feel the constitution has not been of benefit to them, since nothing has changed for the better. “These Kenyans have seen no marked improvement in their lives or in their environments since the new constitution was enacted in 2010. In their view, the country has maintained a status quo,” Ambitho said.
In the implementation of the constitution, an overwhelming majority of 81 per cent said the constitution is important to them as opposed to 14 per cent, who say it is not important. Five per cent said they have no idea whether it is important or not.
The survey, however, indicates only 18 per cent of Kenyans are satisfied with the implementation of the constitution. Some 29 per cent are not satisfied, while five per cent said they have not heard enough about devolution. The remaining – 48 per cent – are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the implementation process.